Joanne Hadley competed at the prestigious WDF World Championships at the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey, England.
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It may have not been the result she wanted, but Echuca-Moama darts player Joanne Hadley is more focused than ever after competing with some of the world's best.
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Hadley was invited to the Lakeside World Darts Federation World Championship after winning the only gold level event held on home soil this year.
It earned her a place among the top 24 women on the WDF circuit, at the most historic venue in world darts, the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey, England, from November 28 to December 7.
“It was something to be experienced,” Hadley said.
“I walked into the room, and it took my breath away, knowing that some of the greatest players in the world had played on that stage, and I was going to be up there sharing that stage where they’ve walked and played.
“It was absolutely awesome, the crowd were great, they really got into the game, and they’re really supportive of the players.”
Hadley was drawn against Welshwoman Eve Watson in the opening round of the single elimination tournament, and it unfortunately wasn’t to be for the Australian star.
Hadley is the number one female in Australia on the WDF rankings.
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Watson prevailed over Hadley in straight sets, 3-0, 3-1.
“I didn’t throw up to what I can, I know I can throw better,” Hadley said.
“I had a good practice leading up to the championship, but maybe it was the event, the overwhelming part of it being on the big stage.
“I didn’t have any nerves while I was up there, and I felt fine (but) it’s a game of millimetres, as they say, and you just have to be a little bit up or below the triple 20 or outside the double wire, and you’ve missed.
“Sometimes they just hit everything they’re going for, and other times, you’re just a bit stiff to miss, but I felt fine while I was actually throwing.
“Obviously disappointed with not getting more legs on the board, but hopefully, if I were to ever get there again, it’ll be a different experience next time.”
Travelling with Australian men’s representative Raymond Smith, who made the round of 16, Hadley had plenty of great experiences off the main stage, getting to see the sights around London and catching up with Australian Professional Darts Corporation tour card holder Damon ‘The Heat’ Heta.
Still the number one woman in the country on the WDF rankings, Hadley is already thinking about getting back to Lakeside for the 2026 World Championships.
She has stopped off in Queensland on her way back to Echuca to take on the 2025 Xmas Classic in Birkdale, and will then get some time off before diving into 2026 with the Swiftflyte South Australian Classic in February, the event that earned her qualification in 2025.
The classic has been downgraded to a silver level event, and won’t grant guaranteed qualification this year.
Gold level status will instead go to the Pacific Masters in July, an event Hadley also won in 2025.
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